Post-Election Poll Shows Eroding Trust in Government and Sources of Information

Two weeks after the 2024 elections last November, the Graduate School of Political Managementat George Washington University conducted a survey of 800 U.S. adults to learn how the election had affected their level of trust in government and in sources of information.

The poll was conducted from Nov. 19-23 in partnership with Schoen Cooperman Research, a strategic consulting firm headquartered in New York. Its key findings point to growing concern about government effectiveness and messaging. A plurality of Americans engaged by the survey said their trust in government had decreased.

Decline in trust varied greatly by political party and gender. Women and Democrats said they trust government less in the wake of the election, while men and Republicans expressed increased confidence in political leaders.

Many respondents told pollsters they expect government effectiveness to improve now that the election has been decided. But again, opinions are sharply divided along partisan lines.

The survey results also indicate a broadening crisis of confidence in traditional sources of public information, with a plurality of respondents reporting that they trust neither the government nor news organizations to provide truthful and fair information.

A majority of respondents, nearly 70%, expressed concerns about the information landscape, saying their ability to gain accurate news about the election had been complicated by misinformation and disinformation spread online. An even greater number expressed concerns about the role of deepfakes in spreading disinformation.

Anxiety about the trustworthiness of traditional sources of public information is also increasing. However, responses to the survey highlighted an extreme generational and partisan divide in media consumption trends.

Younger Americans rely heavily on social media for news, particularly platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Conversely, older adults prefer television and Facebook as primary sources of information.

"These results make it 100% clear-the media is fragmented across generations and political parties," says Lesley Lopez, director of the public relations and communications program for George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management.

On the whole, Lopez said, the complete studyunderscores the need for government leaders to address misinformation, political polarization, and institutional distrust. Enhanced transparency and improved communication strategies tailored to diverse demographics and media preferences will be critical to rebuilding public trust.

"Those leaders who seek to connect with the American public will have to modernize and rethink their strategies, and also find ways to break through the growing mistrust," Lopez said. "Communicators have their work cut out for them, but this research provides insights that will guide the way forward."

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